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U.  C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 

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TURLINGTON  FREE 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


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BURLINGTON  FREE 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


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in  2007  with  funding  from 

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BURLINGTON 
FREE       PUBLIC 

LIBRARY 

Historical 
Sketch 


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Philip  M.  Crapo,   President. 

Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  Salter,  (Ice  President. 
John  J.  Fleming,   Treasurer. 

Miss  Miriam  E.  Carey,  Secretary. 

Trustees 

W.  B.  Southwell.  W.  G.  Mercer.  W.  W.  Baldwin 

W.  C.  McArthur.  Rev.  Ludwio  Holmes. 

E.  Hagemann. 

Librarians 

Miss  Miriam  E.  Carey,  Librarian. 

Miss  Lucretia  D.  Clapp,  First  Assistant  Librarian. 
Miss  Meta  Buettner,  Second  Assistant  Librarian. 


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SARNES-CROSev  CO. 

ENGRAVERS  AND  PRINTERS  j 
CHICAGO  I 


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BURLINGTON     FREE     PUBLIC     LIBRARY 


Historical   Note 


On  February  23,  1868,  a  meeting  was  called  for 
the  establishment  in  Burlington  of  a  Subscriprion  Li- 
brary, known  as  the  Public  Library.  The  Hon. 
James  W.  Grimes  contributed  five  thousand  dollars. 
Three  hundred  citizens  took  shares  of  stock  often  dol- 
lars each.  The  amount  of  dues  entitling  subscribers  to 
draw  books  from  the  library  was  fixed  at  three  dollars 
per  annum.  The  library  continued  on  this  basis  for 
nearly  seventeen  years,  when,  owing  to  the  failure  of 
the  organization  to  properly  supplv  the  needs  of  the 
community — only  seventy-three  subscribers  having  con- 
tributed to  the  support  during  the  last  year — the  stock- 
holders resolved  by  vote  at  their  annual  meeting  in  Jan- 
uary, 1885,  to  donate  the  library  to  the  city,  provided 
a  tax  should  be  levied  to  sustain  it  as  a  Free  Public 
Library. 

Mr.  Philip  M.  Crapo  interested  himself  in  securing 


the  payment  of  a  debt  against  the  library,  the  pavment 
of  which  was  a  condition  of  acceptance  by  the  City 
Council.  The  gift  was  then  accepted  and  the  Free 
Public  Library  was  established,  installed  in  the  Council 
Chamber  of  the  City  Hall  on  July  7,  1885.  Here  it 
grew  and  prospered,  although  laboring  under  many  dis- 
advantages, until  the  completion  of  its  present  beautiful 
and  commodious  building,  which  was  begun  October 
25,  I  896,  and  completed  for  occupancy  June  28,  1898. 

At  the  date  of  the  issue  of  this  report,  December, 
1899,  the  number  of  cards  issued  to  patrons  is  5,297, 
new  series,  representing  the  number  of  book  takers. 
Books  received  from  the  old  organizations  were  6,420. 
The  present  number  of  books  in  the  Library  is  19,020. 

The  Sections  of  the  Code  of  1897  relating  to  Free 
Public  Libraries  may  be  found  under  Title  V.,  Chap- 
ter 4,  Sections   728-732,  inclusive. 


ENTRANCE     TO     ROTUNDA 


Report  of  Public  Library  Trustees 

For  year  ending  December  thirty-first 
nineteen  hundred 


To   the  Honorable  Mayor  and   Council  of  the  City  of 

Burlington  : 

Gentlemen  :  -  In  conformity  with  the  requirements 
of  the  Statute  it  becomes  our  duty  and  pleasure  to  report 
to  your  honorable  body  what  success  has  attended  our 
labors  as  Trustees  of  the  Free  Public  Library  during 
the  past  year.  Our  Public  Library  has  had  a  healthy 
growth  and  successful  administration  from  the  beginning, 
but  the  past  year  has  been  the  most  successful  in  its 
history.  The  splendid  foundation  afforded  by  the  gift 
of  a  fine  collection  of  valuable  books  from  the  former 
organization,  placed  it  at  once  in  the  front  rank  of  Free 
Public  Libraries  in   the  State.      The  continuous   wise 


selection  of  Trustees  by  your  honorable  body,  our  for- 
tunate selection  of  librarians,  and  your  steadfast  support 
and  co-operation,  have  year  by  year  increased  its  use- 
fulness and  prestige,  until  now  we  do  not  fear  com- 
parison with  libraries  of  equal  size  and  pretension  anv- 
where  in  the  Northwest.  These  are  brave  words,  but 
results  will  justify  them,  and  we  have  the  satisfaction 
of  knowing  that  our  choice  librarv  and  its  splendid 
domicile  have  been  created  by  our  own  efforts  without 
outside  help;  that  it  is  entirely  free  from  debt  and  has 
never  been  a  heavy  burden  upon  our  people. 

That  it  is  a  necessary  part  of  our  educational  svstem 
no  one  can  doubt  who  knows   the   keen   appreciation 


THE  MUSEUM;  FROM  ENTRANCE  TO  THE  ROTUNDA 


and  increasing  interest  of  the  hundreds  of  patrons  who 
daily  avail  themselves  of  its  privileges.  The  education 
of  the  school  is  necessary,  but  it  is  compulsory  to  a 
degree,  and  some  chafe  under  its  regime;  but  the  edu- 
cation of  the  Public  Library  is  voluntary ;  its  advantages 
are  sought  after;  every  patron  is  a  thankful  recipient  ot 
its  benefits,  and  cannot  fail  to  become  its  friend  and 
advocate. 

We  see  evidence  of  this  growing  favor  every  week 
in  the  year.  Books  are  donated,  pictures  of  public 
value  or  interest  are  given,  and  our  historical  room  has 
become  the  depository  of  many  rich  gifts,  illustrating 
natural  history  and  domestic  arts,  which  are  of  material 
value  in  our  scheme  of  education.  The  gifts  ot  the 
past  year  have  been  so  many  that  it  would  be  tedious 
to  enumerate  them  here.  The  report  of  the  Librarian 
will  furnish  a  detailed  exhibit;  but  notable  among  them 
is  the  medical   library  of  244  volumes  of  the  late  Dr. 


William  H.  Davis,  donated  by  his  executor,  L.  L. 
Davis,  and  the  valuable  library  of  the  late  Marion  Starr- 
Palmer,  embracing  183  volumes  on  Social  Science  and 
kindred  subjects,  presented  to  the  library  by  her  hus- 
band, Luke  Palmer,  Esq.  Such  gifts  as  these  enrich 
the  library  on  special  lines  to  an  extent  which  we  would 
not  be  able  to  go,  with  our  ordinary  resources,  and  at 
the  same  time  leave  a  useful  and  lasting  memorial  which 
will  awaken  pleasant  memories  and  grateful  acknowl- 
edgments for  generations  to  come. 

The  routine  work  of  the  past  year  has  been  very 
successful  and  satisfactory.  The  number  ot  books 
taken  from  the  library  has  been  54,505.  But  this 
does  not  include  the  reference  books,  which  have  been 
used  to  a  greater  extent  than  ever  before.  No  actual 
count  has  been  kept  of  these  books,  which  have  been 
in  dailv  use  for  study  and  research  by  students  and 
especially  by  pupils  of  the  public    schools.      It  is  esti- 


THE  READING  ROOM,  FROM  THE  ROTUNDA 


mated  that  the  number  so  in  use  has  not  been  less  than 
6,000,  thus  making  a  total  distribution  of  books  for 
the  year  of  fully  60,500  volumes.  This  is  a  gratify- 
ing increase  over  the  work  of  the  previous  year,  and 
justifies  the  purchase  of  the  greater  number  of  refer- 
ence books  of  permanent  value  which  have  been  added 
to  the  library  in  the  past  twelve  months.  Other  im- 
portant works  of  this  character  are  greatlv  needed,  but 
as  they  are  expensive  and  our  resources  are  limited, 
comparatively  few  books  of  this  class  can  be  pur- 
chased each  year. 

The  number  of  readers  and  students  at  the  librarv 
during  the  past  year  has  been  30,664.  This  does  not 
take  into  account  the  various  classes  and  organizations 
which  meet  regularly  in  the  club  room,  to  whom  the 
library  is  an  almost  indispensable  necessity  in  the  pros- 
secution  of  their  studies. 

To  assist   the  patrons  of  the  library,  and    that  they 


may  become  more  familiar  with  its  resources,  cases 
have  been  prepared  for  the  new  books  outside  of  the 
delivery  desk,  to  which  book  takers  have  constant 
access,  and  they  are  cordially  invited  to  visit  the  stack 
room  in  search  of  books  on  any  subject  in  which  they 
are  interested.  This  privilege  is  greatly  appreciated, 
especially  by  students. 

The  work  of  compiling  our  dictionary  catalogue 
under  the  Dewey  system,  is  progressing  rapidly  and 
satisfactorily,  under  the  efficient  direction  of  Miss 
Carey.  About  twelve  thousand  volumes  have  already 
been  classified,  and  the  books  systematically  arranged 
in  their  permanent  location  on  the  shelves.  This  work 
is  of  inestimable  value  to  the  proper  use  of  the  library. 
The  patrons  of  the  library  are  rapidly  familiarizing  them- 
selves with  the  use  of  the  system,  and  are  surprised 
to  find  how  simple  and  convenient  it  is.  The  child- 
ren especially  are  quick  and  apt  in  learning  how  to  use  it. 


THE     LOAN     DESK 


The  study  of  geneaology,  which  has  been  attracting 
much  attention  in  the  libraries  of  the  eastern  states,  has 
become  increasingly  noticeable  here  recently.  We  are 
indebted  to  the  states  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York 
for  the  gift  of  valuable  books  on  this  subject.  We  are 
also  under  many  obligations  to  the  Honorable  Charles 
Aldrich  for  the  gift  of  many  rare  and  valuable  auto- 
graph letters  and  portraits  of  distinguished  personages. 
Largely  through  his  suggestions  and  generosity  we  have 
been  able  to  make  a  creditable  collection  in  this  line, 
which  has  been  augmented  by  local  gifts.  We  have 
received  during  the  past  year  a  portrait  in  oil  of  the 
late  F.  B.  Jaggar,  who  at  his  decease  made  a  valuable 
gift  to  the  library,  and  we  have  the  promise  ot  other 
valuable  portraits  of  prominent  Burlingtonians  in  the 
near  future.  It  is  our  aim  to  make  the  library  a 
depository  of  treasures  of  this  kind.  A  gallery  ot 
portraits   of  the    men    who   have   honored    Burlington 


would  be  very  attractive  and  would  fittingly  illustrate 
the  history  of  the  city.  In  our  public  library  thev 
would  be  preserved  for  all  time  to  come.  We  must 
not  forget  the  many  valuable  books  received  from 
Washington,  D.  C,  through  the  special  effort  and 
generosity  of  Hon.  Thomas  Hedge. 

We  wish  to  repeat  our  thanks  to  our  public-spirited 
townsman,  Mr.  Charles  Buettner,  who  has  prepared 
and  arranged  with  great  labor  and  care,  the  beautiful 
and  valuable  exhibit  in  our  natural  historv  room.  Our 
city  is  fortunate  in  having  a  man  so  capable  and  will- 
ing to  give  his  services  in  developing  this  important 
feature  of  the  public  library,  and  who  has  also  donated 
many  of  the  rarest  specimens  of  our  fine  collection. 

While  referring  to  gifts  we  must  not  lose  sight  of 
the  valuable  contribution  of  services  which  has  been 
so  freely  given  by  several  ladies  during  the  past  vear, 
and     who    have    assisted    in    the    preparation    of   the 


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dictionary  catalogue  and  the  marking  and  rearranging 
ot  the  books  under  the  new  system.  The  work  has 
been  greatly  expedited  by  their  assistance  and  there 
has  been  considerable  saving  in  expense. 

To  the  teachers  ot  the  public  schools  we  \\  ish  to 
repeat  our  assurance  that  we  are  ready  at  all  times  to 
co-operate  with  them  in  any  means  they  may  suggest 
that  will  enlarge  the  usefulness  of  the  library  for  their 
pupils  in  the  prosecution  of  their  studies,  and  we  will 
very  gladly  put  upon  our  shelves  any  reference  and  text- 
books which  may  be  helpful  to  them.  We  also  ex- 
tend a  most  cordial  welcome  to  the  school  children, 
and  to  our  youth  generally,  to  use  freely  every  facility 
for  their  improvement  afforded  by  the  library,  for  we 
recognize  the  fact  that  among  the  youth  our  library 
Hnds  its  warmest  friends  and  its  widest  field  of  in- 
fluence. 

Our   affairs    during   the   past   year   have    been   con- 


ducted with  scrupulous  care  and  economy.  The  ex- 
penditures have  been  §5,011.56,  and  out  of  this 
(after  meeting  all  necessary  expenses)  we  have  been 
able  to  purchase  734  new  books  and  replace  183  worn- 
out  books,  at  a  cost  of  §1,198.47.  This  is  a  better 
showing  than  the  former  year,  and  the  effect  has  been 
felt  to  a  marked  degree  in  the  patronage  of  the  library. 
Still  we  have  not  been  able  to  purchase,  from  our  lim- 
ited revenues,  all  the  reference  books  and  scientific 
works  necessary  to  give  the  library  its  greatest  efficiency, 
and  additional  cases  are  needed  in  the  natural  history 
room  for  the  protection  and  proper  display  of  many 
valuable  gifts,  which  have  not  been  mounted  because 
we  have  no  proper  place  to  exhibit  them.  We  are 
also  in  great  need  of  a  typewriter.  We  hope  at  no 
distant  day  our  revenues  may  be  increased  so  as  to 
more  fully  meet  our  requirements,  and  in  the  mean- 
time  we    propose    to    keep    our    expenditures    strictly 


THE     READING     ROOM 


within  the  limit  of  our  appropriation,  as  we  have 
always  done.  It  will  be  absolutely  necessary  for  the 
continuance  of  the  work  of  the  library,  that  your  hon- 
orable body  shall  make  the  same  lew  for  library  pur- 
poses in  1 90 1  as  during  the  previous  year,  viz:  one 
mill  for  maintenance  and  one-half  mill  for  building 
purposes.  Owing  to  the  gradual  reduction  of  as- 
sessed valuations  and  the  change  in  the  per  cent,  of 
such  values  for  purposes  of  taxation,  a  levy  of  one  and 
one-half  mills  realizes  only  a  small  amount  in  excess 
of  the  proceeds  of  a  mill  levy  a  few  years  ago.  With 
the  necessary  additional  expenses  incident  to  the  occu- 
pation of  our  new  library  building,  the  present  levy  of 
one  and  one-half  mills,  does  not  leave  us  as  much 
money  for  the  purchase  of  books  as  we  had  under  the 
one  mill  levy  in  our  old  quarters  in  the  council  chamber. 
It  probably  is  not  necessary  for  us  to  discuss  this 
matter  as  vou  have  been  hampered  from  the  same  cause 
in  all  departments  of  the  city's  affairs. 

During  the  coming  year  we  are  to  be  honored   for 


the  first  time  by  the  presence  of  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  State  Library  Association,  and  the  State  Library 
Commission.  This  will  be  an  important  meeting  as 
there  will  be  a  large  representation  from  all  over  the 
state,  and  celebrities  in  library  work  from  other  states, 
east  and  west,  will  doubtless  be  here.  We  have  a 
high  reputation  to  sustain.  All  things  considered,  we 
do  not  yield  precedence  to  any  library  in  the  state. 
We  must  endeavor  to  sustain  our  excellent  reputation 
and  make  our  claims  good.  With  your  assistance  and 
the  support  of  the  good  people  of  Burlington,  we  will 
endeavor  to  do  it.  We  desire  to  express  our  fill!  ap- 
preciation of  the  cordial  and  effective  manner  in  which 
your  honorable  body  has  seconded  all  our  efforts  to  suc- 
cessfully administer  the  affairs  of  our  Free  Public  Library. 
We  feel  that  you  are  fairly  entitled  to  a  share  of  the 
credit  tor  whatever  we  may  have  accomplished. 
Respectfully  submitted, 
THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES, 

By  Philip  M.  Crapo,  President. 


THE     REFERENCE     ROOM 


Librarian's  Report 

From  yanuar'j  first,  nineteen  hundred,  to  December 
thirty-first,  nineteen  hundred 


To  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Free  Public  Library: 
Gentlemen: — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to  you  the 
fourteenth  annual  report  of  the  BurUngton  Free  Public 
Library,  covering  the  period  from  January  I,  1900, 
to  December  31,1 900,  inclusive,  together  with  a  state- 
ment of  the  present  condition  of  the  library  in  its  various 
departments.  At  the  close  of  the  last  report  there  were  in 
the  library  17,720  volumes.  In  the  past  year  1,340 
have  been  added  by  purchase  and  donation — 734  by 
purchase  and  606  by  donation.  Greater  results  have 
been  obtained  than  ever  before  as  the  tollowing  report 
will  show.      During   the   year    1900  the  building  was 


open  to  the  public  three  hundred  and  six  days  from 
nine  A.  M.  until  six  P.  M.;  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
one  evenings  from  seven  until  nine;  54,184  books  and 
periodicals  were  issued  for  home  use.  Classified  as 
follows : 

History  and  Biography 3>434 

Voyages  and  Travel i  ,445 

Miscellaneous i  ,690 

Fiction ; 29,756 

Juvenile    11 ,930 

German 1,619 

Science 2»573 


THE     LECTURE     ROOM 


Periodicals    i  ,692 

Swedish 45 

Total 54> '  ^4 

Monthly  average 4>545 

This,  with  the  books  used  in  the  reference  room, 
makes  a  showing  of  over  60,000  books;  more  than  we 
have  ever  circulated  before. 

The  circulation  per  month  was: 

January 5.3  5° 

February 5> '  3° 

March 6,440 

April 4. 5  •  o 

May 3,825 

June 3,893 

July 3.779 

August 4.075 

September 3,620 


October 4, 1 80 

November 4i7°S 

December 4,677 

Total 54. 1 84 

There  were  917  books  purchased;  183  of  these 
were  to  replace  those  worn  out;  606  donated;  479 
rebound;   97  magazines  bound. 

Thirty  thousand  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven 
persons  were  counted  in  the  reading  room,  and  3,298 
in  the  evenings.  This  is  not  a  correct  statement  as  it 
is  impossible  to  keep  a  record  of  all  persons  visiting  the 
library. 

Five  hundred  and  sixty-three  cards  were  issued  to 
new  book  borrowers,  making  the  present  number 
5,297  of  the  second  series. 


VIEW     OF     THE     ART     WINDOW     IN     STACK     ROOM:     SUBJECT,     HYPATIA 


Monev  was  taken  in  as  follows: 

From   Fines $  59  80 

Lost  Cards 16  20 

Catalogues  Sold 33  50 

Paid  to  Treasurer $'09    5° 

Incidental  expenses $  63   92 

DONATIONS  IN    1900. 

BOOKS 

Mrs.   Starr-Palmer 183 

Dr.  W.  H.  Davis 244 

Mr.    Frank  Churchill 8 

Rev.  Dr.  Salter,  6  pamphlets,  I  booklet.  ...       8 

Miss  Carey 5 

Mr.  Crapo 15 

Henry  Wood I 

F.  H.  Dougal I 


Mrs.  Hearst I 

Hon.  Thomas  Hedge 13 

Am.  Union  League i 

Allen-Lane  Pub I 

Mr.  Charles  Willner 4 

James  Love I 

Ronbroke  Press i 

J.  Farmer I 

E.  S.  Balch I 

W.  Hagerty 2 

Miss  David 3 

Max  Poppe 1 

Charles   Buettner 3 

T.  W.  Balch 2 

Electric  Fire  Proof  Co 1 

Sons  Revolution,  Mo i 

Mr.  Luke  Palmer 8 


BOOKS 

Lippincott   Co I 

John  Dillon i 

State  Library,  N.  Y 2 

Hon.  Charles  Aldrich 1 

Cooksey  Publishing  Co 2 

Secretary  State  of  Iowa I 

Rev.  Father  Mackin 7 

Hon.  Frederick  Stearns,  Detroit 3 

August  Ende .  I 

Secretary  Commonwealth,  Mass 7 

J.  Goodwin I 

A.  D.  Cromwell i 

Mrs.  Thalmeier,  bound  magazines,  volumes .  3  2 

Iowa  General  Assembly 2 

Mr.  George  Frazee,  pamphlet i 

Government  Documents,  Washington 32 


Mrs.  Gear — Portrait,  Senator  Gear. 

Mrs.    F.  B.  Jaggar — Portrait,  Mr.  Jaggar. 

Mrs.  D.  W.  Peasley — Cabinent  of  Specimens  from 
Yellowstone  Park. 

Mr.  Frank  Churchill — Box  of  Minerals;  Two 
Mexican  Water  Bottles;  Progress,  7  numbers,  un- 
bound;  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,   iz  numbers. 

Mr.  Crapo  has  added  numerous  beautiful  attractions 
to  the  museum;  also  pictures,  many  valuable  casts  and 
statuary. 

We  are  also  indebted  to  Dr.  Salter,  Mr.  Crapo, 
Mr.  Charles  Aldrich,  of  Des  Moines,  Mr.  Hedge,  Miss 
Derby,  Mrs.  Waldschmidt,  Mrs.  G.  Potter  and  others 
for  autographs  and  autograph  letters.  We  have  now  a 
fine  collection,  filling  some  thirty-three  drawers  of  our 
cabinet. 


EXPENSES  FOR   1900. 

Incidental  expenses .     $     5:53  14 

Books ■  > '  94  47 

Magazines 107  97 

Binding 298  87 

Printing 1  6  00 


Fixtures 710   54 

Salaries. 2,19;   00 

Total SS.055   99 

CLARA  S.   WILSON, 

Librarian. 


